A man has appeared in court after fraudulently using a Blue Badge.

Michael Okuomose, 25, was seen parking in Railway Place, Gravesend, in May of last year.

He displayed a Blue Badge, which it transpired had been reported as stolen by the issuing authority, the London Borough of Lambeth in January 2021.

When a Civil Enforcement Officer questioned him about the validity of the badge, Okuomose of Wye Road, Gravesend, stated that it was his mother’s and drove off.

But following inquiries made by Kent County Council’s Counter Fraud Team, Okuomose was invited several times to attend an interview under caution. He failed to attend.

He was subsequently obliged to appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to fraud and handling stolen goods by misusing a stolen Disabled Person’s Parking Permit.

He was given a two-year conditional discharge, ordered to pay a £25 victim surcharge and £1,963 in costs.

The magistrates’ said that Okuomose’s action in ignoring the investigation had made matters worse.

He had no previous convictions.

Cllr Dan Watkins, the KCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “Our partnership working with district councils continues to be highly effective in stopping Blue Badge abuse.

“Not only does this appalling abuse cause a financial loss to district councils and therefore to the taxpayer, but there is also significant reputational damage to the Blue Badge scheme – a scheme put in place to help and support disabled people.”